Idea 1: Classes and materials with journey maps describing two different paths: one that leads to the cycle of incarceration-release-reincarceration, and one that leads to a just and clean life. Also, teaching the importance of goal setting
Summary: These classes and materials would be available to both ex-convicts and at-risk individuals, with the goal of helping ex-convicts break free from the cycle, and helping at-risk individuals avoid incarceration. The classes would be taught by successfully reformed ex-convicts or graduates of the program. Goal setting will be a constant focus throughout the bulk of the class. As one goal is accomplished, a new one shall be set with the help of their support system (family, mentor, teacher, Imani Unidad), and small goals will build up to larger ones.
Consider the Setting: We would test the prototype through mock classes in the existing Imani Unidad space. The subjects would be ex-convicts who have already been out of prison for a while and who have had experience with the incarceration-release-reincarceration cycle (both successfully and unsuccessfully). They would provide good feedback and suggestions to the class plan and how it should be run. We can also experiment with different settings (by setting up mock settings in Imani Unidad) such as schools, Boys and Girls clubs, or even in prisons so those currently in there are prepared to change upon release
Define what to Test: We would be testing to decide the best approach to addressing many of these sensitive issues. The classes cannot be taught in a patronizing or condescending manner and the main message must be one of support and cooperation. We would test the specifics of the journey maps to make sure they are as accurate to reality as possible. We would conduct surveys to test the interest in the class and different factors that would make the class more appealing to the participants. Lastly, we must test to make sure there are tangible benefits on behavior and mindset that last even after graduation from the course..
Define Feedback Activities: Arrange for interviews with the participants in the mock class. Ask if they have any general suggestions, if the journey maps matched their realities, how helpful the goal setting exercises would be, and if they thought it would create long-lasting benefits for them. Ask how many of them would continue to attend such a course, and take a general survey of at-risk population (through public school or Boys and Girls Club) to gauge interest.
Idea 2: Social media website for landlords and formerly incarcerated individuals
Summary: This idea would consist of a social media app where users who have been formerly incarcerated would create profiles that would allow them to highlight their accomplishments since being released from incarceration. Users who are landlords would be able to see this other side of individuals and hopefully use it to give them further consideration in the housing application process rather than just denying someone from the get-go because they have a history of criminal activity.
Consider the setting: We would want to test our prototype with landlords. We would need a variety of perspectives from different types of landlords. We could do this by going into leasing offices in nearby apartment complexes. We can also reach out to our own personal landlords to see if they would be interested in this app. In addition, we would also need to test the app with the other audience of users–the formerly incarcerated individuals. The best setting for this to occur would be in an Imani Unidad peer to peer group meeting. We could meet individually with group members and ask them for feedback in addition to speaking to the group as a whole to bounce ideas around.
Define what to test: We would be testing the app to see if it is user friendly and something that can easily be adapted. We would need to test how often users would interact with the app. Would it become one of their daily apps like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? We would also need to test how trustworthy landlords find the information on the social media website to be. If there is a sense of uncertainty amongst users, the app will have failed in delivering a service that helps advocate on behalf of formerly incarcerated individuals. We would also need to test the frequency of use with the population of incarcerated individuals. They too might have reservations about putting information about their past criminal history on social media.
Define feedback activities: Ask landlords and former convicts to answer a series of questions about the app. Have them respond using a scale to ranging from “very unlikely” to “very likely” in terms of how likely they will be to use the app and incorporate it into their routine of reviewing housing applications/applying for housing.
Idea 3: Tracking device that allows Imani Unidad to check in with at-risk individuals when they have been away from their homes for extended periods of time at odd hours of the day.
Summary: This idea would put a tracking device on an at-risk individual’s cell phone. If they were to leave their house between the hours of 2 am and 5 am and be gone for more than 30 minutes, their mentor at Imani Unidad would get an alert sent to their phone. The mentor would then call the individual to check in with them and give them a reminder that they are here to help them if they find themselves in a sticky situation. The tracking device would be optional to put on your phone and it would be optional for the users to answer the call from their mentors.
Consider the setting: We would need to test our prototype with potential users, which would be most easily done by testing it with individuals at the peer to peer mentor group at Imani Unidad. We can ask the younger people how they would feel about such a device and we could act out what would happen for them. We would bring a prototype of the tracking device for them to put on their phones and we would create a mockup of the app that their mentors would be using.
Define what to test: The most important thing to test will be finding out how open individuals are to putting a tracking device on their phone. There are definitely issues of privacy concerns with this idea, so we would need to survey potential users’ willingness to use this device.
Define feedback activities: We would interview users and find out what they like and dislike about the app. We would also have them fill out a survey to gauge how willing they would be to participate in a mentorship program like this where the mentor is alerted if they leave their homes at unusual times. Furthermore, we would ask them how likely someone they know would be to take advantage of the mentorship offered and actually remove themselves from unsafe environments or situations.